Bringing hope to life...

supported by 'The Karen Trust'

Our Mission

Our mission at the Karen Trust is to open a dedicated retreat in the UK for terminally ill cancer sufferers in the thirty plus age range.

The retreat will offer patients and their families a place where they can escape the constant radiotherapy, chemotherapy and other forms of hospital treatments and create a lasting memory when years are no longer an option.

Whilst we strive to this goal, we continuing to support sufferers by providing short breaks, days out, theatre trips what ever they feel they can manage, we hope this will give them some much needed time away from their day to day lives, letting them enjoy precious time with their loved ones, making those special memories

"Don't count the years, Count the memories"

Our Team

Our Retreat

Eligibility Criteria

Application Form

The Karen Trust is managed by our Committee members who are:

Marcia Berry

As one of Karen's closest friends and god mother to her youngest daughter, Marcia was with Karen throughout her illness. She saw first hand the effect that cancer has on the sufferer and their families. Because of this Marcia is proud to be part of The Karen Trust team that helps and create memories for such families. Marcia has been a Treasurer for another charity for over 5 years and brings her accounting and procedural skills to the team.

Andrea Blake

Andrea met Karen through her cousin Mitchell, Karen’s partner & Lily-Rose’s Father. They became very close friends, especially during Karen’s illness.

“Up until that point, I had never lost anyone as close and I was struck by her braveness and dignity Karen displayed the whole way through her illness. She was truly beautiful, inside and out and never complained about her illness. Instead, she only worried about the loved ones who she would leave behind”

“When Joe approached me about being part of the Trust, I didn’t hesitate. I wanted to do my bit to bring Karen’s hopes to life, of offering others in a similar situation, but without the financial means, a well deserved break with their families in Karen’s honour"

Phyllis Rowley

Phyllis has worked in the payments industry for over 25 years specialising in the business operations area. Following the loss of both parents to cancer Phyllis wanted to use her time and operational skills to make a difference to others who found themselves in the same situation. Working as part of The Karen Trust team has fulfilled that goal as we enable families to create lasting memories that they can treasure.

Joseph Singh

Joseph has worked in numerous fields since leaving school in 1976 but mainly within the area of sales and marketing. Joseph founded The Karen Trust after his sister Karen past away from cancer in 2009. It was Karen's wish to help people with the same condition; supporting families when time was no longer an option. "It really is great that all the girls on the committee give up there time to help others in Karen's situation and being able to help even one person makes all the difference in the the world to that person ".

Nicki Rowley

Nicki has been involved with many Community & Fundraising projects over the past few years. Whilst her Niece attended a local school for Children with Special Needs she was a School Governor, She headed the Sports & Social Team with her ex employers InBev UK for over 15 years, working closely with many local charities including The Keech Hospice, L & D Hospital & Luton Womens Aid. Nicki has also taken part in the Race for Life for the past 10 years.

Having lost a number of close family members & more recently some very close friends, Nicki is keen to help people where ever possible.

The Karen Trust retreat will be a place where patients can stay with their loved ones to indulge themselves in the tranquillity and peace of the countryside. A place where they can escape the constant radiotherapy, chemotherapy and other forms of hospital treatments they have to endure.

Achievements so far

Stephen Purdew (Co-owner Champney’s Health Spa & Resorts) has very kindly agreed to The Karen Trust building their first retreat house on the Forest Mere estate, where we have full planning permission. Current stage - The trust are currently raising funds (minimum £250K) for us to be able to start the build of our first retreat.

The Karen Trust Donation Eligibility Criteria

Aims: Our ultimate aim is to raise funds to design, build and open a dedicated retreat house in the UK for terminally ill cancer sufferers. Whilst we work towards that goal we will be providing interim financial support to terminally ill cancer patients on a quarterly basis.

General Operation: Money is raised throughout the year from events organised by The Karen Trust and by individual supporters of The Karen Trust through various fundraising events. A predefined amount is distributed by the Board of Trustees a minimum of four times a year, on receipt of completed application forms. Requests for support should be made directly to The Karen Trust or through our partner Keech Hospice Care.

Distribution of Funds: Consideration for funding will be given to those meeting the following criteria:

Terminally ill cancer patients

Patients with low or no income. Priority will be given to those people who are in receipt of Income Support. Patients may be asked to complete a Financial Disclosure form

Patients will be from the 30 plus age group.

The aim of The Karen Trust is to make a difference to terminally ill cancer sufferers lives. This may take the form of:

A short break within the UK to spend some time with loved ones

A one off financial donation to help with any immediate needs

A one off financial donation to fulfill a lifetime dream

Eligibility for charity support will be determined regardless of race, colour, sex, religion, age, national origin or sexual orientation.

Are you eligible? Apply below:

Name (*)

Please let us know your name.

Email (*)

Please let us know your email address.

Age (*)

Please enter age.

Marital Status (*)

Please enter your marital status

Dependents (*)

Please indicate any dependents or enter N/A

Address (*)

Please let us know your message.

Medical Condition

Invalid Input

Hospital

Invalid Input

Consultant

Invalid Input

Have you received support from any other charitable organisation in the past year? (*)

Invalid Input

Employment Status (*)

Please indicate your employment status

Financial Status

Invalid Input

Donations can only be provided for short breaks. Please provide any background information you think maybe useful to help us assess your application (*)

Please enter the purpose of the donation.

I agree to consent (*)

If we are able to provide a short break it is conditional on providing The Karen Trust with a short testimonial and photograph. This allows us to continue to demonstrate to our supporters the value of their donations and in turn allows us to continue to help others.